Dave Winer ☕️A little advice about social media from someone who has been on social media since it has existed. You don’t have to argue. When someone wants to argue with you, you should block them. There is no good outcome possible from arguing on social media.
Cardigans Of The Galaxy@davew wise words
MOULE 
@davew Don't feed the trolls!
Photo Ewen 📷Usually I'd respond by writing a blog post titled "10 reason you're wrong Dave" but actually you might have a point there.
Darius
snaprails@dariusdunlap @ewen @davew Altogether now, "Oh no it isn't!"
(It's nearly #panto season after all 😜 )
(It's nearly #panto season after all 😜 )
Ian Tindale@davew https://functional.cafe/@u0421793/111147874427257570 If someone tries to engage you in an argument on mastodon is that mastobait?
Ian Tindale (@[email protected])
If someone tries to engage you in an argument on mastodon is that mastobait?
Derek Caelin is writing a book@davew this one speaks wisdom!
RodneyPetersonTalentAgencyWHAT DO YOU WANT?
Well, I was told outside that...
Don't give me that, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings!
What?
Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, coffee-nosed, malodorous, pervert!!!
Look, I CAME HERE FOR AN ARGUMENT…
OH, oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse.
Oh, I see, well, that explains it.
Ah yes, you want room 12A, Just along the corridor.
Oh, Thank you very much. Sorry.
Not at all. (Under his breath) Stupid git!!!
Matthew Kagle@RodneyPetersonTalent @davew I tried to do that with Bard
Ron@davew for some it’s a sport (or more?) and honestly it’s tiring. Good call blocking them.
C. R. Collins 🌳 🐸I've never seen anyone change their mind because someone argued with them online. It seems more an exercise in venting personal frustrations.
💡𝚂𝗆𝖺𝗋𝗍𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝙰𝗉𝗉𝗌📱@crcollins @davew
I have. I've picked up some followers at times when they have realised I was correct (I'm a Maths teacher).
I have. I've picked up some followers at times when they have realised I was correct (I'm a Maths teacher).
Hans van Zijst@Dave Winer ☕️ In most cases you don't even have to block someone: simply ignoring some posts or replies will do.
People who appear to be assholes can sometimes turn out to be really decent people that you can have a good discussion with.
People who appear to be assholes can sometimes turn out to be really decent people that you can have a good discussion with.
Lyle Raymond@davew What if the point isn’t to change a poster’s mind, but to present a counterpoint to anyone following the thread?
Von Xylofon@steelstringcheese @davew I made a few friends with one argument like that recently.
MarkGIf it's someone claiming they have gospel truth about an opinion, then yes, they're best blocked. That said, I do feel it's good to engage with those who have different opinions (as long as it's civil). Otherwise we end up being in isolated silos.
One good thing about Mastodon is that it doesn't allow quote-posts. This, as seen on the Hellsite, just leads to talking about the post (often with the goal of ridiculing it to third parties) rather than talking with the maker of the post.
Bilal@markgrieveson for what its worth, quote posts are on the roadmap for masto
Well, if that's true, I'm not happy about it. I think Mastodon is fine as is.
RDN@davew - Whether a response is a discussion or an argument is partly culturally determined.
Some of the most productive, insightful, and valuable conversations I've had have been arguments.
☑️ PressF1 (Vincent Tapia)
Ann Effes@davew I dare to differ.
You argue with those folks for the "bystanders" which may follow the discussion.
Especially true for e.g, INCEL argumentation in YouTube comments.
I use a male nick then of course ;-)
witchescauldron@davew YES and a question, where do constructive arguments happen now? As social democracy is based on a diversity of sometimes combative views.
We need a space for this, online and offline.
Just a Mr Bill
Lamont Sky@davew
I actually had two good arguments on mastodon. We met, we exchanged and clarified viewpoints, we politely went our ways.
But all in all, you are right.
mindsetsYou're pretty well-known, Mr. Winer, so I can imagine you might find them bothersome if repeated too often. In contrast, being way less famous than you, I welcome arguments since they help me refine my views and aren't unreasonably time-consuming. Plus it's usually easy to figure out, after just one or two rounds, whether an interlocutor is arguing in good faith.
garpu@davew To be fair, I met my partner of 20+ years through an argument on a DOC/Citadel BBS way back when, but to be fair it was more of a discussion than a random asshole on the internet.
James Fields 
@davew I've also been on social media from the beginning and there are certain people you're absolutely right about, but there are others who can be and are convinced by reason and evidence in time. I have have changed my mind on topics because of salient points made on social media and I've seen others change their minds too. Just like in the meatspace, we need to be aware of what kind of person is trying to argue with us and if it's worth or time/effort or if we're just casting our pearls before swine.
carbon offsets are BS ☕️🥬Arguing online contributed to my deconverting.
Edit: what’s more, I feel it’s my responsibility to question people espousing especially disgusting ideologies. Real world examples being white supremacy, “they’re destroying the white race” BS, and general racism.
GeoffreyWinn@davew Yes! I block anyone who says anything negative about me. I’m glad to know it was the right decision.
Randy Tayler@davew Don't you think some people can be swayed by arguments? I feel like I have been.
then write a blog post. give people the option to read or not.
Pete Hare@davew wondering if this was just bait 😂
Maxwell H. Terry 🇺🇸@davew Sounds like advocating for chilling dissent, falling in line, and following the hardline mainstream authority. Really disappointing.
British Tech Guru@davew As soon as you said "social media" my eyes glazed over.
yet you replied
@davew via social media too :p
Igor Rock
Beeks@davew I've personally found Mastodon to be much better in this regard, but of course individual results will vary.
Apan@davew I disagree
A. Rivera@davew Words to live by, and why I use the block button generously.
Life is too short for arguing with assholes, or most anyone, online.
Aria at the keyboard@davew I so very disagree, but also you're not wrong.
There's such a world of difference between constructive argument and just arguing on the Internet.
Both people actually have to be interested in truths, not winning a side.
And if someone's interested in winning, it's worth leaving a note for the audience and then bailing, because there's no resolution to be found. Arguing more only amplifies the other person's message. So make your argument _to the audience_ and then decline further engagement, blocking if needed.
It's a total power move even if it doesn't feel like one.
Adam@davew isn’t this just a best practice in life? You can’t convince people who want to argue so just change the subject or avoid those people no matter the forum
“A little advice about social media from someone who has been on social media since it has existed. You don’t have to argue. When someone wants to argue with you, you should block them. There is no good outcome possible from arguing on social media.”
viq
rhempel@DoubleA @davew there is a fine line between arguing and respectful challenge.
What I normally do what I'm curious or think I have input about something @davew (or anyone else) says or writes, I ask or give input briefly.
If they ask for more discussion then engage (respectfully) or else back off.
The problem I have is not annoying the other person first :-) It goes both ways - I assume the initial contact might be interpreted incorrectly, it's the second contact that counts!
Rolf Rose@davew thanks to your little shove I finally freed myself from some toxic contacts who used to be friends 30 years ago, but with whom I've only had arguments on facebook ever since. Thanks :)
Comunidad bahá´í de Mexicali@davew Or at least, just not argue...
Mar :🌻@davew That's the way I do it. It is not worth the stress.
Deb has moved! (see profile) 🇨🇦@davew I recently really wanted to ask (in response to an argumentative, off-topic, un-asked for reply) "why did you post that?"
I thought about it for a while, and realised my underlying assumptions were totally unrealistic. I made lunch instead.
I thought about it for a while, and realised my underlying assumptions were totally unrealistic. I made lunch instead.
Matt@davew While rarely possible to change that someone’s mind, one good outcome is debunking nonsense that others might have otherwise accepted
Submarine@davew create your own echo chamber 101? What about just not responding.
normen@davew Maybe consider that the problem is that these people already feel unheard. What they are missing is the opposite, actually being embedded into society. Blocking and ignoring is what creates them.
Peter Butler
Ukulele@davew but .. 😂
Doug Baker - Elbows Up! 🇨🇦@davew True. But I welcome perspectives other than mine; I often learn from them.
SEO with love from Russia 🇷🇺@davew yes, but ... 
One World One People@davew TWW: Language is the stories that we tell. *I was raised by animals if judged by today’s standards. One had to be able to back up opinions and ideas with reasoned counter points. But what I learned was to listen and pull the bits of knowledge from the vitriol and accusations. Here it’s common society under many little microscopes so I don’t mind so much. Build ideas as a three legged stool and find common ground. OWOP
@davew Slight disagree. Make your one or two arguments, then drop it
I think there’s a good reason to put useful arguments and reasoning out into the public space
But there’s no reason to continue back and forth with someone in a discussion going nowhere